Having been forced to cancel its media launch due to a massive snowstorm engulfing its Fiorano headquarters, Ferrari has had to opt for a low-key web launch of its 2012 challenger, by releasing a selection of photos of the car it has called the F2012.

With the team having pledged to adopt a more radical approach in the design of its 2012 car, the F2012 is the first car to be designed under the supervision of newly-appointed technical director Pat Fry, who joined the team from McLaren last year.

As expected, the new car features the ‘platypus’ nose concept already shown off by Caterham and Force India in their respective launches.

It’s certainly no supermodel in the looks department, with its front end dramatically squared off, while further back, its engine cover features a twin intake, with a second, smaller airbox placed behind the first one.

As is the case with the cars launched so far, the F2012 features a tightly sculpted rear end, and pull-rod read suspension. This major redesign – when one compares it to its bulkier predecessor from 2011 – necessitated a completely new gearbox design.

The team also used the launch to confirm that major sponsor Santander, the Spanish bank and insurance giant, had extended its sponsorship of the team until the end of the 2017 season.